Press Release – Ministry of Culture and Heritage
Both the Dawn Service and National Commemorative Service for Anzac Day were held at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington today.

“First marked in 1916 Anzac Day has become the day New Zealanders acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all people involved in military conflicts and during peacekeeping missions abroad,” said Brodie Stubbs, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

“Some 250,000 New Zealanders have served in conflicts and other overseas operations. More than 30,000 have lost their lives and many more were wounded and disabled, both physically and mentally.

“No community has escaped the tragedy of conflict and almost every community has its own memorial with people giving generously in the aftermath of the First World War to fundraise for them.

“The hundreds of civic monuments erected throughout the country remain the most tangible expressions of New Zealanders’ sorrow and pride in their wartime sacrifices.”

The day’s events at Pukeahu conclude with the Last Post ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at 5.00pm.

The Wellington Citizens’ Wreath Laying service organised by the Wellington City Council took place at 9.00am at the Wellington Cenotaph, corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street.

In the afternoon at 2.30pm people were welcome to attend the Atatürk Memorial Service at Tarakena Bay, Strathmore, where a wreath laying ceremony will take place.